#reaganlibrary

Performer at the Gibbon (MN) "Polkafest" - "four days of dancing to both German and Polish polkas." DOCUMERICA/EPA 1974. NARA ID 558284NARA ID 558287.

First Lady Betty Ford watches dancers at Milwaukee Oktoberfest, 9/26/1976. Ford Library, NARA ID 45644243 NARA gif.

OKTOBERFEST, POLKA & PROST! By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs. Special shoutout to #1 Oktoberfest musical star/Polka King/master accordionist Mike Surratt!

Grab an accordion, lederhosen/dirndl, and a beer stein - it's almost time to celebrate OKTOBERFEST!

“I’ve never been to an Oktoberfest, but I knew Milwaukee was the place to come. I love German food from pigs knuckles to sauerkraut, and I love your spirit and warmth.” First Lady Betty Ford

Members of the Concord Singers, New Ulm, MN 1974. DOCUMERICA/EPA 7/1974. NARA ID 558262.

President Ronald Reagan celebrates Oktoberfest at The Old Heidelberg Park in Milwaukee WI, 9/26/1984, Reagan Library, NARA ID 75853635.

"Polkafest" at the Gibbon (MN) Ballroom, "four days of dancing to both German and Polish polkas." DOCUMERICA/EPA 1974. NARA ID 558284.

Christy Hengel, "one of a few manufacturers of concertinas in the U.S. ... The concertina is the prime musical instrument for old time polkas and waltzes." DOCUMERICA/EPA, 1974. NARA ID 558359.

F. Goetze and D. Muller Accordions patent 10/28/1873, Records of the Patent and Trademark Office. NARA ID 196007775.

See also: Beer = mc2, Pieces of History Spirited Republic: Alcohol in American History, NARA exhibit

Happy National Paper Airplane Day!

Paper Airplanes in SPACE!

Top: Mission Specialist Gregory J.Harbaugh on the Discovery flight deck, 1984. NARA ID 22572014. Lower: Mission Specialist Donald R. McMonagle on the Discovery flight deck 1984. NARA ID 22572006

Other paper airplanes in our holdings:

Girl With Paper Airplane by artist Grace Hodgson Marcus, 1/1/1989. US Air Force Art Collection, NARA ID 6436124

Popcorn truck 1941, NARA ID 283764.

Happy #National POPCORN Day!

NY Giant Harry Carson showers President Reagan in popcorn 2/13/1987, NARA ID 75855283

President Obama @ Oregon State v. GWU hoops, 11/28/2009, NARA ID 176553126.

Label for Cracker Jacks, 1/14/18, NARA ID 20737628.

"Real Food Value" pamphlet 1918. NARA ID 20737627. Description: Rueckheim Bros & Eckstein published this pamphlet which described the nutritional value of Cracker Jack and its benefits for food conservation.

Bullfight popcorn label 1901, NARA ID 44270997.

Corned Beef Hash Label 1900, NARA ID 5716501.

A leprechaun interrupts President Reagan’s Cabinet meeting, 3/17/1986, Reagan Library, NARA ID 75854671.

Sláinte! Happy St. Patrick’s Day

and Irish American Heritage Month!

First Lady Rosalynn Carter seems surprised by this GIANT GREEN BAGEL from Rep. Robert Giaimo, Carter Library, NARA ID 844014.

President Reagan enjoys St. Patrick’s Day lunch with a unicorn in Alexandria, VA, 3/17/1985. Reagan Library, NARA ID 75856015.

The Carter Family celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at the White House, 3/17/1980, Carter Library, NARA ID 6783245.

Ireland’s Ambassador to the US gives LBJ with a bowl of shamrocks, 3/17/1965, Johnson Library, NARA ID 6801637. Yes… he was really tall - 6'4"!

Shamrocks from the Irish Ambassador to President and Mrs. Bush, 3/17/2004, Bush (43) Library, NARA ID 117886259.

Do you think they served green beer? Dinner invite, 3/17/2005, President Bush (43), NARA ID 148029117.

Program from the 1921 Battery D Reunion Banquet, Truman Library, NARA ID 7233819.

See also:

Irish American Heritage Month-related resources, National Archives News.

The Forgotten Irish: Irish Emigrant Experiences in America, AOTUS blog.

National Archives Digital Records Help Irish Author Write History Books, National Archives News

Irish American Heroes, Text Message blog

Facial Hair Friday: When Irish mustaches are smiling, Pieces of History blog

St. Patrick’s Day Primary Sources! Education Updates.

Exploring Irish History Through the Famine Files and Other Arrival Records, Pieces of History blog.

Decisions of the Board of Special Inquiry: The Story of Irish Immigrant Bridget Donaghy, the Text Message blog.

Ireland’s Famine Children “Born at Sea”, Prologue Magazine

Stories From Our Holdings: Irish Researchers Study Civil War Records from the NARA/Fold3 Collaboration, NARAtions

“CASSIUS CLAY REFUSES OATH”1967, Universal Pictures.

#OTD 1978: ALI BEATS SPINX! Wins world heavyweight championship

By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

‘’Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go ten thousand miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on other innocent brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights?’’ -Muhammad Ali.

#OTD 1978, boxer Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks at the Louisiana Superdome, winning the world heavyweight boxing title for an unprecedented 3rd time.

Explore our records to discover how Ali fought inside and outside the boxing ring: as a Civil Rights activist, a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, and a humanitarian; from accused draft dodger -- stripped of his title, banned from boxing and sentenced to prison -- to Presidential Medal of Freedom winner.

Muhammad Ali with President Ford, 12/10/1974. NARA ID 45644181.

Jordan's King Hussein and President Ford greet Ali, 3/30/1976, NARA ID 7840017.

Boxing gloves inscribed to Senator Ed Kennedy from "Your friend Muhammad Ali 7-8-88" online here. Courtesy of Mrs. Edward M. Kennedy, JFK Library and Museum.

President Reagan "Punching" Ali in The Oval Office, 1/24/1983, NARA ID 75852623.

Ali with President Clinton, 10/28/2000, NARA ID 5899875.

Ali received Presidential Medal of Honor from President George W. Bush, 11/9/2005, NARA ID 7431423.

More online:

Mohammad Ali's Fight for Justice 1967, Records of Rights

Tribute to “The Greatest”, Rediscovering Black History

African American History - Muhammad Ali

See State Department reports on the 1974 Rumble in the Jungle Part I & Part II by archivist David Langbart, The Text Message

Ali's Criminal Case Files, 1908-1973, NARA ID 563137.

Related Ali Case Files 1967-1969, NARA ID 22930205.

Ali Draft Evasion Court Case, NARA ID 5604069

Miner's daughter with pet groundhog, 9/13/1946. Harlan County, KY. NARA ID 541297.

Happy #Groundhog Day? By Miriam Kleiman, who's not excited about 6+ weeks of winter.

Given the pandemic, everyday feels like "Groundhog Day." Challenge for NARA trivia fans: what's the connection between the National Archives and Groundhog Day star Bill Murray?

NARA & Bill Murray: 1 degree of separation! Murray stars in George Clooney's film The Monuments Men, based on the best-selling book by Robert Edsel that includes many of our records about the scholars and historians who donned Army uniforms to serve the Allies by rescuing, identifying, and trying to return precious artworks looted by Adolf Hitler.

Bill Murray and other 'The Monuments Men' cast members were invited to a movie screening at the White House and instructed where to stand for the meet-and-greet. But when President Obama walked into the room, Murray stayed put, saying 'they told me to stand here.'" 2/18/2014. NARA ID 178330597.

President Reagan marks Punxsutawney Phil's 100th, 3/5/1986. NARA ID 75854643.

Punxsutawney Phil Leads the "Great Resignation"! (circa 1909)

Weary of his prophecy duties, Punxsutawney Phil walks off the job. By cartoonist Clifford Berryman, Washington Evening Star, 2/2/1909. NARA ID 6010782.

See related:

National Archives Goes Underground Prologue story by NARA Historian Jessie Kratz

George Clooney and the National Archives: One degree of separation, Pieces of History

Monuments Men Records at the National Archives, Text Message story by Dr. Greg Bradsher and Dr. Sylvia Naylor